Finger-exercising machine



No. 623,592. Patented Apr. 25, I899.

W. BONNEY.

FINGER EXERCISING MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 14, 1898.)

(No ubdel.

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except that the rear support is folded.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER BONNEY, OF UTICA, NEW YORK.

FINGER-EXERCISING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 623,592, dated April 25, 1899.

A pli ti n filed February 14,1898. Serial No. 670,193. (No model.)

To (1, 1071/0777, it TIMLZ/ concern:

Be it known that I, \VALTER BONNEY, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Utica, county of Oneida, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Finger-Exercising Machines for Musicians, of which the follow ing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters representthe same parts in the figures.

My invention relates to that class of devices employed by musicians, especially piano-students, to develop the muscles of the hand. I have examined several patents on this subject and am familiar with what is known as the technicon. Many of these appliances, however, are especially adapted for exercising the striking muscles of the hand, whereas it is desirable to develop the extensor muscles, so as to gain a quick recovery of the fingers after striking the keyboard of an instrument like a piano. The i'lexor muscles, being naturally under a higher state of development, do notneed such training so much as the correlative extensor muscles. My device is designed to cure this fault in most of the existing exercising devices. Many of the devices are also so cumbersome that they cannot be readily carried from place to place, which is often desirable for musicians, and they are so constructed as to be expensive and often easily broken.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents my device in an operative position with both of the supports extended.

Fig. 2 represents a sectional view of the same, Fig. 3 represents a view of my apparatus when both supports are folded and it isin position for carrying in the pocket. Fig. 4 represents a cross-section of my device when folded,and Fig. 5 represents a detail of one of the supports.

Referring againto the figures more in detail, A is a board forming the arm-rest of my appliance. Attached on the under side or made an integral part thereof are two strips D, (shown particularly in Fig. 3,) which are cut away 011 their inner edges, so as to form grooves a". These strips are separated so as to allow the end of B to travel between them and to receive I3 when the apparatus is folded.

B isa strip of wood orother materialofabont the thickness of the strips D. At one end. is attached a strip b, so made as to have two trunnions projecting from its corners. These trunnions I) travel in the grooves a, which are extended to the rear end of these strips, so as to-permit the strip B to be inserted between the strips D. Between ihe strips D and from the under surface of A is hinged a plate a, which serves as a brace between A and I In the inner surface of B are cutslots (Z to receive the end of the brace a and hold the two parts in position. At the free end of B are fastened four or more hooks h. To these are detachably attached rubber bands, coilsprings, or other retractile connections. To the ends of these in turn are attached rings or finger-pieces f. In the inner surface of B and toward its free end is cut out a recess,

which is covered bya-plate Z). (Shown in heavy lines in Fig. 2, the light line in the same figure indicating its position when opened.) This recess is to form a place to stow the rubber bands or coil-springs when the machine is closed for carrying. At the other end of A is a brace C, hinged so that when-it is opened it occupies a position at right angles to A, in which position it may be fastened by the hook and staple m and n.

My appliance has the great advantage that it can be folded into compact form, so as to be readily carried in the coat-pocket.

The brace B may be extended so as to bring the elastic bands at a greater or lesser dis-- tance from the end of the arm-rest A, and it may be extended'so as to give the e'lastics E greater or less resistance, as may be desired. In certain forms of exercise it is desirable that the rear brace C be folded, andby this means the apparatus is readily adjusted to other classes of exercise. 1

By variously adjusting my appliance it is found to be possible to give complete and satisfactory exercise to the muscles of the fingers, wrist, and forearm.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a finger-exercising machine, the combination of an arm-rest, a folding support at one end, elastic bands or other retractile appliance attached to the support and fitted with loops at the other end to engage the fingers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a finger-exercising machine, an armrest, a support hinged to one end of the armrest, a brace depending from grooves longitudinal in the arm-rest, an arm holding the brace obliquely to the arm-rest in variable positions, in combination, substantially as set forth.

3. In a finger-exercising machine, an armrest, a support adjustable at various angles with the arm-rest, in combination with elastic bands, or other retractile appliances attached to the support and provided with finger loops or connections, substantially as set forth.

4:. In a finger-exercising machine, an armrest in combination with a support therefor, adjustable to bring the foot of the support to various distances from the end of the armrest and provided with elastic bands, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

Signed by me, at Utica, New York, this 11th day of February, 1898.

VALTER BONNEY.

Witnesses:

L. H. CoLEcRovE, 'PHEBE A. TANNER. 

